Charles Francis Margai has today, Monday 16th April taken his oath of office as Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Republic of Sierra Leone. The event which was held at the Conference Hall in State House was attended by His Excellency President Brigadier General (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio, Honourable Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Chief Justice Abdulai Charm, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara and representatives of the Diplomatic Corps and Ministers designate.
Shortly after taking his oath of office, the new Attorney General expressed his appreciation to President Bio for giving him the opportunity to serve the nation. He said he will use his appointment to dispense justice dispassionately and restore public confidence in the judiciary stating that he will be using a consultative approach in his administration rather than confrontation. Mr Margai promised to use his office in the best interest of the country and not for personal gains.
In his response, President Bio thanked the new Attorney General for accepting the offer to serve in his government and called on him to dispense the rule of law fairly and equally devoid of various differences. His Excellency also called on Mr Margai to use the laws of the land in curbing lawlessness and indiscipline in the country.
As a very respected and experienced lawyer, Charles Francis Margai brings to his new office lots of experience about the Judiciary. Before now, he had been Minister of Internal Affairs and the Presidential Candidate for the People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) for three consecutive elections.
© State House Media and Communications Unit
It is a low-key ceremony and Charles Francis Margai goes on record as being the first minister to work in the Maada Bio led executive.
Other appointees would follow shortly after parliament has been constituted later this week.
As per Sierra Leone’s constitution, the Attorney General and minister of justice is the creation of the constitution and as such the appointee does not go to parliament, the other arm of government for approval.
14 ministers have been proposed so far in the first set of cabinet ministers among them two women.
Gender activists are calling on the Bio government to step up the number to an expected 30% quota. Youths and disable groups are also adovocating.
